Floating offshore wind is emerging as one of Spain’s major strategic energy and industrial opportunities for the next decade. Spain stands at a decisive moment in time, and without regulatory progress and planning, this opportunity may not become a reality. If we halt its development, the country’s technological and industrial advantage could fade away.
By Juan Virgilio Márquez, General Director, Spanish Wind Energy Association
The Offshore Wind Forum and the Spanish Wind Energy Association call for continuation of the progress achieved so far and urge that the next steps be taken to establish a ‘pilot market’ within the coming decade. Immediate action is needed. The lack of progress is causing a loss of opportunity for our offshore industry. Spain currently leads floating technology, with 11 of the 13 platforms installed worldwide and 14 of the 50 global prototypes being of Spanish design.
Spain already possesses 75% of the industrial supply chain required for floating wind (engineering, shipbuilding, manufacturing, logistics and operations). With a reasonably sized domestic pilot market, this industrial base could be maintained, jobs for skilled personnel created, and innovation efforts sustained.
In this context, the Canary Islands represent the ideal location to launch this pilot market – given their significantly higher electricity generation costs compared with mainland Spain, the installation of a floating wind farm in the 200 to 250MW range could save taxpayers over € 116 million per year once operational. Furthermore, such a project would prevent the emission of more than 570,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. For this reason, we propose that the first auction be held in this area.
The industry is firmly committed to environmental protection, dialogue with the fishing sector, regional and local development, and transparency. Wind farms will be located at distances from the coast where visual impact is minimal or imperceptible, and only in areas identified as suitable, where coexistence with other maritime activities is possible.
The impact of installing floating offshore wind farms will be very limited – the area occupied by the first projects would represent less than 0.1% of Spain’s territorial waters, and priority will be given to areas with lower fishing activity.
In summary, floating offshore wind is not only a national opportunity but also a driver of economic and social transformation for local communities. Spain cannot afford to fall behind for a second time in its history especially when it has the resources, knowledge and capability to lead this energy revolution.
